Monday, December 31, 2012

I told you a year ago that the period starting in 2012
would be devoted to the stimulation of growth which, as you are aware, is
indispensable for achieving our objectives, that is, improving living
conditions and curbing unemployment. This end-of-year message affords me the
opportunity to take stock with you of our efforts and to know where we stand
and where we are going.

It is heartening to note that investment is
recovering. After a long period, during which national and foreign investors
were hesitant to commit themselves, due to the crisis, more and more investors
are now expressing interest in various sectors of our economy: energy, mining,
agriculture, infrastructure, among others. This is clearly a sign of the
confidence they have in us so that, together, we can successfully implement
some of our major projects.

The first sector I want to mention is that of
energy because it is THE sine qua non for the development of our economy. In
recent months, we launched the construction of several dams and hydro-power
plants: Lom Pangar and Memve'ele. In early 2013, we will launch the
construction of the Mekin dam. Others will follow, particularly when we will
have developed the Sanaga River. The Kribi Gas-fired Power Plant will soon
complete this system. Thus, we will increase our electricity generating
capacity and put an end to shortages which have penalized our people and
industries for a very long time. At the end of this process, we should even be able
to export energy to less endowed neighbouring countries. Thus, in the medium
term, we will have won the energy "battle".

The optimization of our power generating capacity
will provide much better conditions for the development of our industrial fabric.
Entrepreneurs who could hesitate to commit themselves for lack of assurance
about power supply will no longer have reasons to postpone their projects. It
therefore appears that we will be able to embark on the second phase of our
country's industrialization. Henceforth, we will be able to process our raw
materials and, why not, access more advanced technologies. We are already
assembling tractors. We may soon assemble cars. Industrial development is the
lever for modernity. We will obviously do everything possible to promote it.Investors are equally willing to support us in
implementing our major infrastructure projects. The Kribi Port is a good
example. Another is the Yaounde-Douala highway project, whose first section
should soon be launched. The second bridge over the Wouri River and the east
and west access roads to Douala, whose works will soon begin, will help to
improve traffic flow in our economic metropolis. Our road network will be
completed or rehabilitated such that all our regional capitals will soon be
linked by tarred roads. Part of these works is already underway. We see the
benefit that it will represent for the movement of people and goods within our
country and with neighbouring countries.The resources of our subsoil are also rousing the
interest of foreign companies vying for their exploitation. Oil exploration and
exploitation is making progress. Although at present our expectations in this
domain are modest, we cannot rule out the possibility of making new
discoveries. Conversely, we have promising natural gas deposits. Part of the
gas will be exploited to supply energy like in Kribi, and to satisfy the
domestic needs of the population; another part will be liquefied for export. A
project of this nature will soon be implemented.The mining sector is expected to witness intense
activities in the coming months. Exploitation of the Lomie cobalt deposit and
other associated minerals should start as soon as financing arrangements are
completed. The Mballam “iron ore” project entered its final phase with the
recent signing of the agreement between Cameroon and CamIron. Negotiations for
the exploitation of the Minim-Martap and Ngaoundal bauxite are continuing
normally. The Mobilong “diamond” project is in the exploitation phase. It will
take into account the rules of the Kimberley Process to which we have adhered
and which ensures traceability of diamond from Cameroon. Similarly, strict
order will be restored in gold exploitation.With respect to the mining sector, our attitude
should be guided by two concerns: on the one hand, the State – that is the
general interest – should derive due benefit from it; on the other hand, our
minerals should, as much as possible, undergo primary processing before
exportation.As you can see, and as I indicated to you, Cameroon
has become a “vast construction site”, and there is every reason to believe
that it will continue to be for a longer time.Lastly, agriculture, our main source of wealth. At
the Ebolowa Agro-pastoral Show, I outlined the major thrusts of what should be
a real “agrarian revolution”. I am fully aware that it is a complex issue on
account of both the size of the population involved and the number of problems
that need to be solved. But I am also aware that agriculture is our development
trump card. That is why we must successfully implement our agrarian revolution
at all costs. To that end, we need to modernize our methods, provide better
training for our farmers, take advantage of scientific progress, secure
innovative financing; in other words, move onto second generation agriculture.
In so doing, we will not only be able to consolidate our food self-sufficiency,
but also to process our agricultural raw materials, export our products, reduce
our imports of some foodstuffs and, lastly, create tens of thousands of jobs.Job creation is our constant concern. The State is
playing its role by absorbing many youths into the public service and the
security forces. The growth recovery we are experiencing has already triggered
some upturn in employment. As an illustration, and according to available
statistics, Cameroon’s economy created about 160 000 jobs in the modern sector
in 2012. There is reason to hope that with the pick-up in economic activity,
the trend will increase. I am aware that the problem is particularly acute
among youths, graduates and non-graduates alike. That is why our educational
system reform lays emphasis on professionalization.One of the conditions for renewed growth was the
improvement and consolidation of our public finance. Throughout the year that
is coming to a close, and in compliance with IMF recommendations, we continued
efforts to increase our revenue and better manage our expenditure. We will
continue along this path. Concerning the budget, we will, in 2013, implement
the transition from resource budget to programme budget based on medium-term
objectives, together with measurable indicators that conform to our development
strategy. This will enable us to better assess our performance and adjust its
course, if necessary.Regarding this new budget, I will make just a few
remarks which, I think, are not unimportant. I will, first of all, point out
that it has increased by 15%, which is an expression of our will to give fresh
impetus to our economy. I will add that the budget is hinged notably on a 6.1%
growth assumption, which means that we are banking on marked progress in
economic activity. Lastly, I will point out that the public investment head
represents close to 30% of the overall expenditure envelope.Socially, the Government stayed on the path of
continuity in 2012. In the major sector of education, it pursued its
infrastructure construction, teacher recruitment and professionalization
efforts. It remains true to its objective of providing the widest possible access
to knowledge at all levels and ensuring equal opportunities.With respect to health, mother and child care and
pandemic control activities, immunization campaigns, etc. were continued. New
outreach hospital infrastructure was constructed and state-of-the-art equipment
provided to referral hospitals. In the same vein, there are ongoing efforts to
develop a social security system that is accessible to the greatest number of
people. The proportion of the population covered by social security is expected
to increase from 10% in 2012 to 20% in 2015. These rates are unsatisfactory and
should be improved as much as possible.Moreover, I am not forgetting that the goal of the
progress our country can pride itself on is to improve the living conditions of
our people. However, in that regard, it must be acknowledged that much remains
to be done. Access to water and electricity remains largely inadequate in urban
and rural areas. This situation should improve significantly in the short and
medium term. Major works are under way and, hopefully, will provide solutions
to these shortages. Similarly, low-cost housing in our country is not
commensurate with the needs of the population. To offset this shortage, we will
soon launch pilot programmes in Yaounde and other urban centres, where our SMEs
will have their own part to play. If the results are satisfactory, they would
be replicated in our regional capitals.Still in the social sphere, I would like to address
our retirees who have trouble obtaining their pensions. Delays of several
months are sometimes noted, which is unacceptable. Instructions given to remedy
the situation are already bearing fruit.Government’s focus on reviving growth did not
prevent politics from claiming its place. In a bid to modernize our democratic
process and enhance the transparency and credibility of our elections, a
decision was taken to recompile electoral registers and introduce biometrics in
the production of electoral documents. It is absolutely necessary to carry
through this operation on schedule.I take this opportunity to urge Cameroonians to
register massively on electoral registers. To facilitate this process, I have
decided that, as from 1 January 2013, national identity cards should be issued
free of charge.The recent adoption of a single electoral code is
also geared towards modernizing our democratic process. It was also necessary
to harmonize some provisions relating to the Constitutional Council with the
Constitution in order to set up this superior court, after the senatorial
elections slated for 2013.

Fellow Cameroonians,My dear compatriots,Thus, whatever may be said, we are forging ahead
resolutely on the path to becoming an emerging country, guided by our roadmaps,
like a navigator guided by his compass, watching out for any pitfalls along his
way and taking advantage of favourable winds to shorten the distance. Yes, I
affirm that the fresh impetus is on course and nothing and nobody can stop it.Should we therefore rest on our laurels? Definitely
not. I am fully aware that we still have to deal with the inertia, incompetence
or malice of some people, which all constitute constraints on our recovery. In
addition, there is corruption in various forms and public procurement fraud. In
this regard, the latest NACC report is extremely revealing. Obviously, the
embezzlement of public funds will not go unpunished. I count very much on the
Minister of Public Contracts to put an end to such abuses in his sphere of
competence.The said failings are all the more reprehensible as
a substantial segment of our population continues to languish in harsh living
conditions. Obviously, the huge sums of money embezzled should have contributed
to improving their situation in the domains of education and health. How many
schools, health centres, and water supply schemes could have been built with
the sums embezzled!Such criminal behaviour on the part of a minority
clearly tarnishes our country’s image. It is used by critics in and outside the
country who are unwilling to acknowledge the progress we have achieved in
recent years. They claim that we are “stagnant” and our very stability is
doubtful. Such lack of objectivity can only be due to some kind of political
myopia that prevents them from seeing things as they are, and to failing memory
which prevents them from having any recollection of the hardships that our
people have suffered to overcome unfair terms of trade, structural adjustment
constraints and the damage caused by the recent economic and financial crisis.Well, my dear compatriots, let us show these
critics what we are capable of doing. When, in a couple of months, or a couple
of years, our country will be dotted with construction sites, dams, power
plants, ports, factories and roads, will they continue to say that we are “stagnant”.But, before concluding, I would like us to spare a
thought for all our compatriots who were affected a few months ago by severe
floods. They should know that we have not forgotten them and that the recently
established Natural Disaster Relief Fund will be there to help them.On the other hand, I am pleased to announce that
within the next few months, the right conditions should be in place for us to
celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Reunification with all due solemnity.

Fellow Cameroonians,My dear compatriots,I am well aware of the terms of the pact we entered
into a year ago. We can already see the first achievements. Others will follow
in the months ahead. Let us take advantage of the peace and stability our
country is enjoying to do great things. I am determined to do so and I urge you
to support my efforts. Of course, there will be obstacles, but with the support
of everyone, especially the youth, I am sure we will overcome them.We are a great people, a great Nation. We must show
it, now or never.

Let me now extend to you all, my most sincere
wishes for health and happiness in the New Year.

Happy New Year 2013!

Long live Cameroon!

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) -
Rebels in the Central African Republic on Monday rejected appeals for them to
halt their advances and to negotiate to form a coalition government.

The rebels had been urged Sunday by the
visiting leader of the African Union and by President Francois Bozize to stop
seizing cities and preparing to attack the capital, Bangui. The Seleka rebels
have taken 10 cities in Central African Republic's north in the past three
weeks and have moved within striking distance of the capital, Bangui, a city of
600,000.

AU president Thomas Boni Yayi, who is
the president of Benin, called on the rebels to enter into negotiations with
the aim of forming a government of national unity. Bozize also appealed to the
Seleka rebels to halt their advances and said he would agree to bring them into
the government.

But the rebels on Monday said they did
not trust Bozize's offer.

"We are not convinced of the
commitments made ??by President Bozize," said rebel spokesman Juma Narkoyo
when reached by telephone. "Bozize has always spoken, but he never keeps
his word."

The rebels - who call themselves Seleka
which means alliance in the local Sango language - said they would enter
negotiations "only if the head of state releases all our relatives they have
arrested without reason." The rebels claim that Bozize has abducted more
than a dozen of their family members. They warned if Bozize uses foreign troops
to protect his government, they may continue their campaign toward the capital.

In response the rebels were told by the
African Union that if they seize power they will face sanctions and Central
African Republic will be suspended from the organization.

The African Union rejects any attempt to
seize power forcefully, said chairwoman of the AU Commission Nkosazana Dlamini
Zuma on Monday. Any attempt to seize power unconstitutionally will result in
sanctions against the perpetrators and their total isolation, Zuma said at the
AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.

Zuma urged the rebels to immediately end
to their military offensive and to commit to dialogue with the view to finding
a lasting solution to the recurring instability experienced in the country.

French President Francois Hollande
Monday welcomed the efforts by the AU and the group of neighboring states to
find a negotiated solution. Hollande called for "opening a dialogue
between CAR authorities and all the parties present, including the
rebellion." Hollande last week said his government would only protect
French interests in CAR, but would not prop up the Bozize government.

Central African Republic has suffered
many army revolts, coups and rebellions since gaining independence from France
in 1960.

The rebels behind the current
instability signed a 2007 peace accord allowing them to join the regular army,
but insurgent leaders say the deal wasn't fully implemented.

The rebels have made a rapid advance
across the country's north and residents in the capital, Bangui, now fear the
insurgents could attack at any time, as the rebels' new remarks contradict earlier
earlier assurances that they are willing to engage in dialogue instead of
attacking the city.

On Saturday the rebels seized the city
of Sibut, 185 kilometers (114 miles) from Bangui. Sibut, a key transportation
hub, fell without a shot being fired because the Central African Republic army
and forces from neighboring Chad had pulled back to Damara, 75 kilometers (46
miles) from Bangui on Friday, said Minister of Territorial Administration Josie
Binoua.

Neighboring African countries have
agreed to send more forces to support the Bozize government.

Representatives from the 10-nation
Economic Community of Central African States, or ECCAS, agreed at a meeting in
Gabon Friday to send forces to CAR, but did not did not specify how many troops
would be sent or how quickly the military assistance would arrive.

The ECCAS states, with more than 500
soldiers via their regional peacekeeping force in Central Africa, over the
weekend warned the rebels to halt their advances.

The neighboring Republic of Congo sent
120 troops from Brazzaville Monday to bolster the regional force, according to
a New Year's statement from Congo president Denis Sassou Nguesso.

The ongoing instability prompted the
United States to evacuate about 40 people, including the U.S. ambassador, from Bangui
on an U.S. Air Force plane bound for Kenya, said U.S. officials who insisted on
anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the operation.

The United States has special forces
troops in the country who are assisting in the hunt for Joseph Kony, the
fugitive rebel leader of another rebel group known as the Lord's Resistance
Army. The U.S. special forces remain in the country, the U.S. military's Africa
Command said from its headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.

The evacuation of the U.S. diplomats
came after criticism of how the U.S. handled diplomatic security before and
during the attack on its consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11. The
ambassador and three other Americans were killed in that attack.

China announced Mondaythat it is evacuating
its 300 citizens from CAR, although its embassy staff will stay.

French diplomats have remained in Bangui
despite a violent demonstration outside its embassy last week. Dozens of
protesters, angry at France's lack of help against rebel forces, threw rocks at
the French Embassy in Bangui and stole a French flag.

CAR is a landlocked nation of 4.4
million people is one of the poorest countries in the world. The current
president himself came to power nearly a decade ago in the wake of a rebellion
in this resource-rich yet deeply poor country.

India's army
and navy canceled New Year's celebrations on Monday out of respect for a New
Delhi student whose gang-rape and murder has set off an impassioned debate
about what the nation needs to do to prevent such a tragedy from happening
again.

Indian schoolgirls form 2013

Protesters and politicians
have called for tougher rape laws, major police reforms and a transformation in
the way the country treats its women.

"To change a society as
conservative, traditional and patriarchal as ours, we will have a long
haul," said Ranjana Kumari, director of the Center for Social Research.
"It will take some time, but certainly there is a beginning."

The country remained in
mourning Monday, two days after the 23-year-old physiotherapy student died from
her internal wounds in the Singapore hospital where she had been sent for
emergency treatment. Six men have been arrested and charged with murder in the
Dec. 16 attack on a New Delhi bus. They face the death penalty if convicted,
police said.

The army and navy canceled
their New Year's celebrations, as did Sonia Gandhi, head of the ruling Congress
party. Hotels and clubs across the capital also said they would forego their
usual parties.

"She has become the
daughter of the entire nation," said Sushma Swaraj, a leader of the
opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.

Hundreds of mourners continued
their daily protests near Parliament demanding swift government action.

"So much needs to be done
to end the oppression of women," said Murarinath Kushwaha, a man whose two
friends were on a hunger strike to draw attention to the issue.

Some commentators compared the
rape victim, whose name has not been released by police, to Mohamed Bouazizi,
the Tunisian street vendor whose self-immolation set off the Arab Spring. There
was hope her tragedy could mark a turning point for gender rights in a country
where women often refuse to leave their homes at night out of fear and where
sex-selective abortions and even female infanticide have wildly skewed the
gender ratio.

"It cannot be business as
usual anymore," the Hindustan Times newspaper wrote in an editorial.

Politicians from across the
spectrum called for a special session of Parliament to pass new laws to
increase punishments for rapists - including possible chemical castration - and
to set up fast-track courts to deal with rape cases within 90 days.

The government has proposed
creating a public database of convicted rapists to shame them, and Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh has set up two committees to look into what lapses led
to the rape and to propose changes in the law.

The Delhi government on Monday
inaugurated a new helpline - 181 - for women, though it wasn't working because
of glitches.

Responding to complaints that
police refuse to file cases of abuse or harassment brought by women, the city
force has appointed an officer to meet with women's groups monthly and crack
down on the problem, New Delhi Lt. Gov. Tejendra Khanna said.

"We have mandated that
any time any lady visits a police station with a complaint, it has to be
recorded on the spot," he said.

Kumari said the Delhi police
commissioner sent her a message Monday asking her group to restart police
sensitivity training that it had suspended due to lack of funds.

There have also been proposals
to install a quota to ensure one-third of Delhi's police are women.

There also have been signs of
a change in the public debate about crimes against women.

Other rapes suddenly have
become front-page news in Indian newspapers, and politicians are being heavily
criticized for any remarks considered misogynistic or unsympathetic to women.

A state legislator from
Rajasthan was ridiculed Monday across TV news channels after suggesting that
one way to stop rapes would be to change girls' school uniforms to pants
instead of skirts.

"How can he tell us to
change our clothes?" said Gureet Kaur, a student protester in the
Rajasthani town of Alwar. "Why can't girls live freely?"

Some activists have accused
politicians of being so cossetted in their security bubbles that they have no
idea of the daily travails people are suffering.

Kumari said the country was
failing in its basic responsibility to protect its citizens. But she was
heartened to see so many young men at the protests along with women.

"I have never heard so
many people who felt so deep down hurt," she said. "It will
definitely have some impact."

In Geneva, the U.N. human
rights chief called Monday for fundamental change in India.

"Let us hope that 2013
will be the year the tide is turned on violence against women in India and all
women can walk free without fear," said Navi Pillay, the U.N. high
commissioner for human rights. "The public is demanding a transformation
in systems that discriminate against women to a culture that respects the
dignity of women in law and practice," she said in a statement.

Pillay, a South African of
Indian origin, urged Indians not to give in to calls for capital punishment for
rapists. "However terrible the crime, the death penalty is not the
answer," she said.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

At 84,this formerSenior
Administratorwasrecognizedfor hisstrong decisions even when he took over to overseeCanonSportive ofYaoundé, he was not just a sport
lover but a man who in other ways played a major rule to promote football in
the country.In the mid80s,it
was he whoserved aspatriarchin theCanonofYaoundé.He was amongthe most influential personalitiesalongsideHermannYenethe
founderof the Canon Football club andmany others. He was looked up to as a\man of
principleandrectitude. Besides,
Ferdinand Koungou Edima started working as an administrator in the early 60s
whenhe was only32 years old.
He served as Sub Divisional officer in Ebolowa, and later Senior Divisional Officer of Nkam. He also served as the Secretary General at
theGovernor’s office in the former Centre South
Province. He also served as the Director of General Affairs in the Ministry of
Finance. Ferdinand Koungou Edima also served as Governor of the Littoral region
before he was appointed Minister of Territorial Administration. He spent over
50 years in the corridors of power. He has been a great man whosacrificed
hislife in the serviceof the
nation, to the point of losingher
voice. Hedied attheYaounde General Hospitalto join his wifeCatherinewho also died onJuly 18, 2010. He leftgovernment
in 2002following the scandalwhich
ledtopostponement of the 2002 legislative
and municipal.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa